Metrology device for videoendoscopic probe

Abstract

Image splitting device for videoendoscope, comprising an image splitting optical component to form on the sensitive surface of a video sensor housed in the distal end part of a videoendoscope a single composite image formed from two images of an observed target, viewed from two different angles; the image splitting optical component comprises two sections of identical convergent lenses, integrated into an opaque central element, maintaining the space between the two section of lenses, each of the two sections of lenses are at least equal to a half-moon so that it is crossed by the optical axis of the lens

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention relates to videoendoscopes equipped with a device for measuring the dimensions of a target located in the observation field of the videoendoscope. [0003] It is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to industrial endoscopy. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] Normally, the term “endoscope” is given to a flexible or rigid probe, designed to be inserted into an obscure cavity and allowing the user to observe through an eyepiece the image of a target located inside the cavity. To this end, an endoscope comprises a lighting device of the target and an optical device providing the user with an image of the target. The optical device comprises a distal lens, an image transportation device that may be rigid and composed of a series of lenses, or flexible composed of a bundle of sorted optical fibers, and a proximal eyepiece in which the user can observe the image of the target. The lighting d...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0040] The object of the invention is to create an image splitting optical device that can be integrated into the distal end of a small diameter videoendoscopic probe, presenting the following advantages:

Problems solved by technology

This method is also only applicable to rigid endoscopes and only for repetitive measurements performed on identical targets.

Nevertheless, the three stereo devices described above that allow obtaining such a result present significant, even redhibitory drawbacks as regards to their integration into a very small diameter videoendoscopic probe.

Indeed, the integration of two axial view lenses in the axial end of a videoendoscopic probe requires the implementation of very small diameter lenses which prevent the entire sensitive surface of the CCD sensor connected to the lenses to be used.

These limitations are not directed at the optimization of the accuracy of the measurement process.

Furthermore, the integration into the distal end of a videoendoscopic probe of an image splitting device that have concave rectilinear transversal profiles becomes difficult to perform due to the miniaturization difficulties of such a device.

Nonetheless, the optical measuring field of such a prism turns out to be, in principle, less than 15 degrees, a value that is clearly insufficient for an endoscopic measurement system.

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